Raw Video: Truckers Protest Fuel Prices in DC

3aidlillahi · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 594

I remember a classmate in middle school dreamt of becoming a truck driver (I'm 21 so this was about 8 years ago when gas was a little more than $1/gallon). While trying to dissuade him out of it, he told me about how they made good money, blah blah. He never really put his best foot forward academically and wasn't a whiz on the streets either so it's likely that trucking is where he ended up. I wonder if he's bragging about his riches now.

Sorry (to you) if I'm not sorry for them for their lack of foresight and willingness to adapt.
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smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 5212

vision-master

3aidlillahi · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 594

vision-master

[quote="3aidlillahi"]

drew

It's a job, that's all. However for a job it is a pretty good one. I wouldn't trade it for a second for most office jobs (unless I was the boss), especially where I work.

The folks in my office get zero respect. I get none either, but I don't see my boss for weeks at a time, answer to no one (I log in and out of our system), can be late a fair bit and no one cares, and get to go home early every day and still get a full day's pay.

I spend most of my day in relatively banal conversation that can be occasionally stimulating and is often funny, and the rest of the time is spent driving, eating and listening to music or the CBC. As for wages I make around 44k/yr on less than 40 hrs a week.

Aside from the low social status and lack of challenge the job isn't too bad at all, is it?

Drew

vision-master

Ache · Heavy Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2005 Posts: 241

cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3375

Why is this person holding a gas container? Is he giving away free gas? Very Happy

emersonbiggins

RE: The man holding the sign "What comes first? Kids or gas?"

I don't think he wants to know the answer to that question. Cool

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smiley · Fission Joined: Apr 16, 2004 Posts: 2107 Location: Europe

drew

The brits are very likely using imperial gallons in the claim the xf 105 truck will get 9 mpg.

Using US gallons it would get 7.5

The tech over here in NA isn't that different.

P.S. Canucks used the Imp. Gallon too.

Drew

perdition79

For the two of you debating fuel economy in tractor-trailers, you're overlooking one important fact: Europeans run cabovers almost exclusively, and they can get much better mileage. 8 mpg (U.S., not Imperial) is entirely possible in a Freightliner Argosy cabover. Problem is, nobody in America runs cabovers, because it's a rough ride. Our conventional tractors have a smooth ride, with shitty fuel economy, and we're stuck with them.
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cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3375

smiley · Fission Joined: Apr 16, 2004 Posts: 2107 Location: Europe

Cabover

Conventional.

You're right. I think the cabover vs conventional is the main difference. But it seems that the US drivers are the only ones experiencing this problem. Not only Europe is driving cabovers, but also Russia and much of Asia. Perhaps they value their wallet over their ass.